A city-state known for its high rises, high tech, and high finance, Singapore is well more than a central hub for global business. If you look beyond the cityscape, you’ll discover pockets of natural enclaves that remind you that this thriving city is in fact a tropical island at the end of the Malay Peninsula.
Pause for a moment and think beaches, rainforest, and sultry humidity. Yes, it’s hot. After all, Singapore is just 85 miles (137km) north of the equator. But with so many spectacular attractions to capture your imagination, you’ll find there’s more than meets the eye at this global urban hot spot.
1. Early morning at the Botanic Gardens
Open from 5:00AM to midnight, the free Botanic Gardens top everyone’s “must-do” list. The main draw is the National Orchid Garden, which features a colorful world of 1,000 orchid species and another 2,000 hybrids. But the Garden offers “intangibles” as well: shade enabled by mature trees, wonderful floral fragrances, an...